How can autistic people make peace with weight gain in eating disorder recovery? After exploring the underlying reasons for the fear of weight gain in Part 1 and Part 2 of this weight gain series, Part 3 is all about how to accept a healthy body. Livia challenges the conventional “love your body” narrative and instead, offers an ecological approach that particularly resonates with the autistic mind.

You'll learn:

This episode concludes the series with a powerful message: the fear of weight gain makes sense, the need for safety is valid, AND there's another way to find that safety – one that works with the autistic mind rather than against it.

📖 Download my FREE GUIDE with answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle

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For many autistic people with anorexia, the fear of weight gain has nothing to do with a desire to be thin. In Part 2 of this Fear of Weight Gain Series, Livia unpacks eight reasons why autistic people may fear weight gain – that are unrelated to body image concerns.

You'll learn:

🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle

Connect with Livia:
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🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS

📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Why do autistic people fear weight gain? Contrary to popular belief, autistic folks with anorexia may not deal with body image issues or have a fear of fatness. In Part 1 of this 3-part Fear of Weight Gain Series, Livia explains how eating disorders can serve as survival mechanisms in an overwhelming world. She also shares her personal story of anorexia without body dysmorphia, highlighting how traditional treatment approaches can cause harm when they fail to recognize the intersection between autism and anorexia.

You'll learn:

🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle

Connect with Livia:
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🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS

📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Many people assume that eating more and gaining weight in anorexia recovery will automatically lead to improved focus, mood, and energy. But for many, the reality feels different. In this episode, Livia dives into the biological and psychological reasons why restriction can create a sense of sharpness and focus – and why this state, while enticing, comes at a significant cost.

Through a powerful metaphor, Livia explains how the body’s survival systems operate like a city power grid and reveals the hidden trade-offs of running on “emergency power.” You’ll also learn about the addictive nature of the “restriction high” and how it numbs one’s inner artist.

Key Topics Discussed:

🍩 Enroll in my course, Extremely Hungry to Completely Satisfied
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle

Connect with Livia:
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📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Routines play an important role in the lives of autistic individuals, offering structure and safety – but they can also lead to challenges, especially when paired with eating disorders. In this episode, Livia and Mike delve into how routines shape autistic experiences, how they intersect with food and movement behaviors, and why flexibility is crucial for recovery. Together, they explore how to navigate change in a way that feels safe and sustainable for the neurodivergent mind.

Key Topics Discussed:

📖 Download my FREE GUIDE with answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!
🧑‍🍳 Grab your copy of Nourishing Neurodiversity 

Connect with Livia:
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The term "all in recovery" has gained traction in eating disorder spaces, but does it really lead to true freedom? In this episode, Livia Sara unpacks the origins, misconceptions, and limitations of the all in approach. Through the lens of her own recovery journey, she explores how labels like "all in" or "in recovery" can keep us stuck in cycles of black-and-white thinking and perpetuate the eating disorder identity.

You’ll learn:

This episode challenges conventional recovery wisdom and invites you to move beyond restrictive labels, empowering you to discover a life where you can truly live label free.

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🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia
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Connect with Livia:
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Black-and-white thinking, also known as all-or-nothing or polarized thinking, is often labeled as a barrier to recovery for autistic individuals with eating disorders. But what if this mindset isn't a flaw to fix, but an adaptive response designed to protect and conserve energy in an overwhelming world? In this episode, you’ll learn:

🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia
📚 Grab your copy of How to Beat Extreme Hunger
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders

Connect with Livia:
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Love this episode? Leave a 5-star rating and positive review for the Liv Label Free Podcast on Apple or Spotify, or leave a comment on YouTube to join the conversation. Your support means so much!

📝 Read the blog post of this episode

In this follow-up Q&A episode, Livia and Mike tackle two insightful listener questions about navigating daily challenges as neurodivergent entrepreneurs. With practical tips and lived experience, they unpack how to overcome analysis paralysis, create flexible routines, and manage the pressure of perfection.

You’ll learn:

Listener Questions Answered:

This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone trying to balance structure with flexibility while managing the unique challenges of neurodivergence.

👉🏻 Enroll in the Autistically ED-Free Academy
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia

Connect with Livia:
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Demand avoidance can be one of the most misunderstood aspects of autism, especially when it intersects with eating disorders. What may seem like defiance or resistance is often an attempt to preserve autonomy and regain a sense of safety. In this episode, I’ll be breaking down what Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) really is, how it impacts eating behaviors, and why reframing our approach can make all the difference in supporting recovery.

You'll learn:

👉🏻 Enroll in the Autistically ED-Free Academy
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia
🎧 In case you missed it: FBT for Autism and Eating Disorders

Connect with Livia:
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🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS

📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Family-Based Therapy (FBT), often hailed as the "gold standard" for eating disorder treatment, claims to help families take control of recovery. Unfortunately, this approach can be harmful for autistic people. In this episode, Livia shares her lived experience and insights on why FBT can clash with the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals. From issues of autonomy to the oversimplified prioritization of weight gain, we’ll explore how "evidence-based" treatments often overlook neurodivergence.

You'll learn:

The basics of FBT and its three-phase structure

Why FBT's focus on control and weight gain can fail neurodivergent individuals

The importance of autonomy and safety in recovery for autistic people

How eating disorders act as adaptive responses to an overwhelming world

Why "evidence-based" treatments should really be called "evidence-biased"

A compassionate alternative for supporting recovery

👉🏻 Enroll in the Autistically ED-Free Academy
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia

Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS

📝 Read the blog post of this episode